Combined cultivator and weed-cutter.



J. H. ECCLES. COMBINED CULTIVATOR AND WEED CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-11,1914.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

5mg :2 mg a 19mg I Inventor Witnesses Attorneys 0.. wAsmNc'roN. n. c.

PATENT FFTGE.

COMBINED CULTIVATOR AND WEED-CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filerl December 11, 1914. Serial 1%.876f711.

T allwhom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES H. EooLEs, a

citizen of the Unitedv States, residing at Lodi, in the county of San Joaquin and State of-California, have invented a new and useful Combined Cultivator and Weed- Cutter, of which the following is a specificationi I This invention relates to weed cutters, its Object being to provide a machine of this character utilizing disks adapted to be embedded entirely within the ground so as to out under the surface of the ground, thus severing the roots of weeds and at the same time loosening the sub soil without materially disturbing the surface of the ground and without exposing the moist sub-soil to the air, which is extremely detrimental in the latter part of the season. 7

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise'embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown. In said drawings :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a gang of cut-ting disks. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the gang. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on line A-B Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on line C-D Fig. a.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates parallel beams spaced at their ends by interposed blocks 2 which may be riveted or otherwise secured to the beams. Secured between the beams 1 at regular intervals are pairs of gripping blocks 3 having grooves in their meeting faces which register to form an opening 4 for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Each pair of blocks is pivotally mounted upon a bolt 5 and each block of each pair has an arcuate slot 6 concentric with the pivot bolt.

These slots 6 are designed to receive a clamping bolt 7 extending through the beams 1. The opening 4 formed by the reg istering grooves in the blocks 3 receives the upper end portion of a stem 8, said stem has a collar 9 at its upper extremity and another collar 10 at an intermediate point, these collars 9 and 10 being adapted to fit against the lows" and upper faces respectively of the blocks 3. Secured to the lower end of the stem 8 is a cutting disk 11 of thin metal. It is to be understood that each pair of blocks 3 is provided with a stem 8 such as herein described and that any desired number of these blocks can be arranged in a row. Furthermore any desired number of rows of blocks can be employed. In the structure illustrated, two sets of beams 1 are employed, these sets being connected by a zigzag metal strap 12 forming a brace and con- .1

nection.

The attachment herein described is designed to be used in connection with any form of cultivator. When so used it is employed in lieu of the usual soil engaging blade and located back of the spaces between the disks in the other row.

. Inusingthe structure herein described, the bolts 7 of one row are loosened and the blocks 3 are tilted upon their pivot bolt 5 so as to cause the stems 8 to incline, for eX- ample, to the right. The bolts 7 are then tightened, after which the bolts of the sec 0nd row are loosened and the blocks 3 swung on their pivot bolt so as to cause the stem to incline, for example, to the left. Said bolts 7 are then tightened and the machine in ready for use. When the machine is drawn forward the beams 13 are lowered so as to bring the disks 11 below the surface of the ground. Then as the-machine is drawn forward the tilted disks of the front row will be caused to roll through the soil without, however, disturbing the upper crust, and the same is likewise true of the rear disks. However, inasmuch as the disks of the front row are tilted oppositely to the disks of the rear row, the loosening action upon the sub-soil is greatly increased. By means of this arrangement of disks, the roots of weeds and the like are cut and the sub-soil is loosened, without, however, exposing'it to the drying action of the air.

The top soil is only disturbed to the extent necessary to permit the passage of the thin stems 8 therethrough.

It is to be understood that the improvements herein described can be applied to a supported by said beams ofthe attachment and adjustable angularly about substantially horizontal axes, depending stems mounted for rotation within the boxes and supported thereby, and a flat cutting disk ntthe lower end ofeach stem.

An attachment for the shovel beams of a cultivator, including parallel beams disposed in pairs, rigid connections'between' said beams, said beams being adapted to be detachably connected to the shovel beams of he cultivator, and to extend transversely thereof, boxes supported by each pair of stantially horizontal axes, means for holding the boxes against movement, stems mounted for rotation in and supported by theboxes, and a flat cutting disk at the lower end of and revoluble With each stem.

In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the, presence of two Witnesses. V V

JAMES HOWARD 'ECCLES,

Witnesses: V

F. A. DOUGHERTY, RUTH E. DOUGI-IERTY.

$011135 of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. i

'25 beams and adjustable angularly about sub- 

